Step-ladder



M. 'MINIER.

STEP LADDER.

(No Model.)

No. 529,871. 4 Patented Nov. 27, 1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAXWELL MINIER, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK- STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters was No. 529,871, dated November 27, 1 894. Application filed September 24, 1894. Serial No. 523,932. (N 0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAXWELL MINIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elmira, in the county of Ohemung and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a new and improved step ladder; and it has for its object to provide a ladder of simple and durable construction which may be easily operated,- and which may be locked in either its open or its closed position.

Another of its objects is to secure bracingstrips to the projecting ends of the steps, said strips forming also guard-rails to prevent ladies dresses or other articles from catching thereon. They also form hand-railings, which are very desirable on. ladders of this class.

The invention consists of certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings :--Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved ladder; Fig. 2, a vertical sectional view of the upper portion thereof showing it locked in its open position; and Fig. 3 a similar view showing it locked in its closed position.

Referring to the various parts by numerals, 1 designates the standards of the ladder which are cylindrical and pass through circular openings in the steps 2 near their ends and at an angle to the upper surface thereof. The top step or shelf 2 is broader than the lower steps and projects rearwardly asuitable distance. To the under side of the proj ecting portion of this step the support or rear portion 3 of the ladder is'hinged by suitable hinges 4. This hinged support consists of the standards 5-5 suitably braced, and connected at their upper endsby a flat cross-bar 6 whose upper surface fits squarely against the under side of the top shelf or step of the ladder, when the support is in its open position, and thereby effectually prevents the further outward movement of the lower end of the support.

cent to the rear edge of the cross bar 6 of the book 8 which projects beyond the rear edge of the top step of the ladder when the support is locked in its open position, and a bucket or other article may be hung thereon, as shown clearly in Fig. 2.

When it is desired to lock the ladder in its closed position either the hook 8 or clamp 7 may be turned inwardly to bear on the upper side of the cross bar 6 andthereby lock said support against any outward movement, as shown in Fig. 3.

The ends of the steps of ladders of this class project beyond the standards and these projecting ends form the great disadvantage of this otherwise cheap and durable class of ladders. To obviate this difficulty and to brace the steps I secure to theseprojecting ends guardrails 9-9 which extend from the lowest step to the topmost one, as clearly shown. These rails also form hand rails which are very desirable in this class of ladders. It will be readily seen that these rails are of great advantage in preventing ladies dresses, or a work'mans tape-line, or a sashcord or similar articles from engaging the ends of the steps and causing'great annoyance. They also strongly brace the steps, offectually tying them together so that the strain on them is distributed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A step ladder consisting of the stand ards, steps secured thereon, said standards passing through the stepsnearthe ends thereof and at an oblique angle to the upper surface thereof, guard rails secured to the outer proj ecting ends of the steps and adapted to cover said'ends, and a rearportion orsupport, substantially as described.

2. A step ladder consisting of standards, steps secured thereon, a hinged rear portion or support formed with across bar at its upper end, said bar adapted to bear against the -under side of the top step of the ladder to limit the outward movement of the support, and a clamp 7 pivoted to -the under side of the top step and adapted to swing around unbar adapted to bear against the under side of the top step, and a pivoted clamp 7 formed with hook 8 and adapted to lock the support in either its open or closed position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MAX YVELL MINIER.

Witnesses:

ANSEL ROBERTS, S. T. MINIER. 

